MaxPreps Player of the Year Coming to Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Stemming from the standout final season of her high school career, incoming Razorback freshman Caroline Hedgcock has added MaxPreps National Player of the Year to her list of accolades. In June, the Downers Grove, Illinois, native was named the 2016 Gatorade State Player of the Year after being a nominee for the honor in the previous season.

Hedgcock is part of Arkansas’ most recent recruiting class finalized by head coach Courtney Deifel in November. She comes to Fayetteville as part of the group comprised of players from four different states—Arkansas, California, Illinois and Texas—and is joined in the newcomers class by Macy and Madelyn Brotherton, Keely Edwards, Hailey MacKay, Aly Manzo, Jade Miller, Sydney Parr and Autumn Storms.

Deifel Adds Nine with 2016 Recruiting Class

In helping lead Downers Grove South High School to a third-place finish in the Illinois State 4A Tournament, Hedgcock was 14-1 with a 0.96 ERA in the circle. She registered 131 strikeouts and allowed just 49 hits in 95 innings of work. Her prowess at the plate was as impressive with a .549 batting average to go along with 22 home runs, 69 RBIs and 59 runs scored.

“One of the first things to appeal to me immediately about Caroline was her presence and composure,” Deifel said to Chicago’s Daily Herald earlier this summer. “I love the way she competes, not to mention that she’s a hard-throwing lefty with an outstanding drop ball and off-speed pitch that should suit her well at the next level. Mixed with a .500 batting average and more than 20 home runs this season against strong competition, she’s the all-around package.”

Hedgcock finished her prep career with 62 wins in the circle including a 47-5 record during the last three seasons. Offensively, she established school records with 37 career home runs and 185 runs driven in. Her 22 home runs in 2016 represent the third-highest total for a single season in Illinois prep history.

For more information about Arkansas Softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter.